Hanukkah is a wonderful time of year to celebrate with family and friends. As is the case with many Jewish holidays, wonderful food and sharing meals with loved ones are deeply rooted within the Hanukkah tradition. One popular, traditional Hanukkah food is the latke, which is usually fried. But since fried foods aren’t the healthiest, we thought the latke might be due for a nutritious, delicious make-over!
Now you might be thinking that a latke isn’t a latke if it isn’t fried, right? But trust me—it can be done! One way to make a healthier latke is to bake it rather than fry it. Cooking latkes this way will allow you to enjoy a satisfying crunch without the extra oil (not to mention potential splatters and burns) associated with frying.
Another way to make the latke healthier is to swap out the potato—the latke’s main ingredient. Taking the potato out of the latke might sound crazy, but don’t worry, there are plenty of great vegetable variations for the traditional latke. Using zucchini or sweet potatoes can make latkes more nutritious—sweet potatoes are higher in fiber and Vitamin C than potatoes, and using zucchini in your recipe helps lower the calories.
We’ve rounded up a few of our favorite recipes for healthy latke alternatives. Give them a try, and enjoy them with your loved ones!
If you’re a Health Advocate member with access to the Wellness Coaching program, reach out to your Wellness Coach for more healthy holiday tips. And from all of us at Health Advocate, we hope you have a safe and enjoyable holiday season!
Have a question for a Health Advocate? Email nhess@healthadvocate.com, and your question may be the topic of an upcoming “Ask a Health Advocate” column!
